Australia-India Strategic
Research Fund (AISRF)
GUIDELINES
2015
Contents
1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Background and Objectives .................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Priority Areas of Research .................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Support Available ................................................................................................................. 4
2 COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS ........................................................ 5
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Level and Duration of Funding Available ............................................................................... 6
2.4 Eligible Expenses ................................................................................................................. 6
2.5 Other Project-specific Expenses ........................................................................................... 6
2.6 Costs Not Eligible for Support ............................................................................................... 7
2.7 Cash and In-Kind Support from Other Sources ..................................................................... 7
2.8 Dates of Funding Rounds ..................................................................................................... 8
2.9 Application process............................................................................................................... 8
2.10 Other Funding Sources......................................................................................................... 8
2.11 Assessment Criteria.............................................................................................................. 8
2.12 Intellectual Property Rights ................................................................................................... 9
2.13 Eligibility Checks and Assessment of Applications ................................................................ 9
2.14 Successful Grant Applicants – Funding Agreement ............................................................. 10
2.15 Reporting............................................................................................................................ 10
2.16 Payments ........................................................................................................................... 10
2.17 Changes in circumstances .................................................................................................. 10
3 TARGETED WORKSHOPS ................................................................................. 11
3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 11
4 EARLY AND MID-CAREER RESEARCHER FELLOWSHIPS ............................. 12
4.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 12
4.2 Support available ................................................................................................................ 12
4.3 Reporting............................................................................................................................ 12
4.4 Further information ............................................................................................................. 12
5 FUND ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................... 13
5.1 Evaluation of the Fund ........................................................................................................ 13
5.2 Unsuccessful Applicants ..................................................................................................... 13
5.3 Questions, Feedback, Complaints and Privacy ................................................................... 13
5.4 Freedom of Information (FOI) ............................................................................................. 14
5.5 How we will use and disclose the information you give us ................................................... 14
5.6 Ethics and Research Practices ........................................................................................... 15
6 GLOSSARY ......................................................................................................... 16
2
PURPOSE OF THESE GUIDELINES
These Guidelines are provided in respect of the components of the Australia-India Strategic Research
Fund (AISRF). They should also be read in conjunction with the relevant Application Instructions for
funding through the respective components of the AISRF.
The Guidelines apply only to Australian funding provided under the AISRF. The Government of India
provides guidelines and instructions in respect of its support of activities through the AISRF.
Information is available via these websites: Department of Science and Technology: www.dst.gov.in/
and Department of Biotechnology: http://dbtindia.nic.in/.
NOTE: please refer to the Glossary for full definitions of capitalised terms in this document, e.g.
Eligible Research Organisation.
3
1
OVERVIEW
1.1 Background and Objectives
The Australian Government, in partnership with the Government of India, established the AustraliaIndia Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) in 2006.
Australian funding is provided by the Department of Industry and Science (hereafter referred to as ‘the
Department’) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The AISRF is jointly managed by the Department and the Government of India’s Department of
Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
In India, the AISRF is divided into two streams: the Indo-Australian Fund for Scientific and
Technological Cooperation (‘the Science & Technology Fund’, administered by DST) and the IndoAustralian Fund for Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Biotechnology (‘the Biotechnology
Fund’, administered by DBT).
The objectives of the AISRF are to:
•
•
•
increase the uptake of leading science and technology by supporting collaboration between
Australian and Indian researchers in strategically focused, leading-edge scientific research and
technology projects;
strengthen strategic alliances between Australian and Indian researchers; and
facilitate Australia’s and India’s access to the global science and technology system.
Since its establishment, the AISRF has supported collaborative, leading-edge research between
scientists in India and Australia across a range of agreed priority areas. It has also helped to build
enduring science, technology and innovation relationships between Australia and India, while drawing
on the strengths of Australia and India to the mutual benefit of both.
The AISRF is Australia’s largest program dedicated to bilateral science collaboration. It is also one of
India’s largest sources of support for international collaboration in science. The AISRF facilitates
activities that encourage the application and commercialisation of research outcomes to the mutual
benefit of both countries.
1.2 Priority Areas of Research
The Department, DST and DBT will agree to priority areas which are of mutual benefit to both
countries, for support under the components of the AISRF. These priorities will be published on the
Department’s website (www.science.gov.au/aisrf) and in the relevant application instructions.
1.3 Support Available
The AISRF provides support for Australian institutions to partner with industry and end-users on:
•
•
•
Collaborative Research Projects;
Targeted Workshops; and
Early and Mid-Career Researcher Fellowships.
4
2
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
2.1 Overview
Collaborative Research Projects (‘Projects’) link Australian and Indian research institutions, as well as
industry and/or other end-user partners, collaborating on a single substantial project or conducting a
range of research-related activities in a specified field. These Projects may be used as a catalyst to
bring together leading institutions in Australia in a particular research field with Indian partners to help
build research capacity and maximise the application, commercialisation and sustainability of
research outcomes in support of economic growth and development in Australia and India.
While not mandatory, involvement by industry or other end-user partners is strongly encouraged and
funding will be aimed at Projects that can demonstrate a clear path to end use in support of economic
growth and development in Australia and India.
The following activities can be included in Project applications, where they also meet the eligibility
criteria (see section 2.2):
•
•
•
•
•
•
joint scientific research projects with Indian partner/s;
application and commercialisation of research outcomes;
exchanges and secondments of personnel between Australia and India for purposes related to
the joint research;
conferences, workshops, and fellowships related to the joint research;
new research-related information sharing and communication initiatives related to the joint research; and
joint traditional research outputs of books, chapters, journal articles and conference publications.
The application for funding for a Project is to be submitted to the Department by the lead Australian
Eligible Research Organisation (ERO). Where a Project includes more than one Australian ERO, only
one ERO may apply on behalf of that Project. An ERO may only submit one Project application per
round. If successful, the ERO that submitted the application will be the Recipient and manage the
Australian component of the Project. An ERO that has applied for funding for a Project may be a
partner in other Project applications in that same AISRF round.
Other Australian entities which are not eligible as an ERO can still be partners in a Project application.
2.2 Eligibility Criteria
The size of each Project, in terms of the number of organisations involved, may vary. A Project must
include at least one Australian ERO and one Indian partner. More than one of each type of
organisation may be included in a single Project, provided the minimum requirements are met.
To be eligible to apply for funding for a Project, the Australian applicant must:
•
•
•
•
•
•
be an Eligible Research Organisation (ERO), which has not previously submitted an application
in the current round;
seek support for international collaborative research activities in a priority area specified by the
Department, DST and DBT;
have at least one Indian partner which has submitted a corresponding application to DST or DBT*;
accept the intellectual property rights principles outlined in section 2.12;
not be seeking funds for activities previously funded or currently being funded by the Australian
Government; and
complete and submit an online application form, available via www.science.gov.au/aisrf. All assessment
criteria must be addressed and all requirements of the Application Instructions must be met in full.
*NOTE: a corresponding application, with the identical title, must be submitted by the Indian partner to the
relevant Indian department (DST or DBT) by the closing date. If DST or DBT have not received the Indian
application, the Australian application will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.
Applicants must satisfy all of the above eligibility criteria to be considered for funding.
5
2.3 Level and Duration of Funding Available
The Australian Government will contribute towards the direct costs of joint research.
The funding range available to Australian applicants for Projects is AUD500,000 – AUD1,000,000
(exclusive of GST) in total. This maximum amount must be taken into account when preparing the
Project plan and budget.
Each Project will be funded for up to three years.
2.4 Eligible Expenses
AISRF funds pay for the direct costs of research only and must only be spent for the purposes of
undertaking the activities of the Project as specified in the Funding Agreement.
Eligible expenses include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
International travel*: economy class return airfares for Australian researchers, including
postgraduate students, travelling to India (including domestic flights within India) to participate in
meetings, workshops and activities related to the Project. International airfares for Indian
researchers travelling to Australia will be met by the Government of India.
Living expenses*: living expenses, including accommodation and meals, for Indian researchers
travelling to Australia to participate in meetings, workshops and activities related to the Project.
The Australian Government’s support is limited to a maximum of AUD300 per person per day, or
AUD4,000 per person per month, whichever is the lesser amount. Living expenses, including
accommodation and meals, for Australian researchers travelling to India will be met by the
Government of India.
Salaries: salaries and salary on-costs for Australian non-ongoing (temporary) researchers and
staff employed specifically for the purposes of the Project. The occupant/s of the position/s must
reside in Australia. Postdoctoral salaries and postgraduate stipends listed in the application
should be consistent with rates set by the Australian Research Council. Information can be
accessed from: http://www.arc.gov.au/applicants/salaries.htm
Bench fees: Project-specific bench fees, consumables, specialist equipment or instruments,
freight, and access to facilities essential to the Project.
Prototyping and commercialisation expenses: translational activities, including product
design and testing, initial manufacturing, etc.
Exchanges and Fellowships that allow knowledge transfer and capability development.
Workshops in support of the activities, knowledge transfer and capability development.
*NOTE: Travel and living expenses combined must not exceed 20% of the total funds awarded.
2.5 Other Project-specific Expenses
Any other Project-specific expenses are subject to negotiation with the Department and will be
considered in relation to the value of the projected benefit to Australia and India.
Funding of other Project-specific expenses is at the discretion of the Department – for example, costs
involved in the purchase or upgrade/hire of software (including user licences) and ICT hardware
(unless it can only be used for the Project).
Please note that grants are intended to contribute towards the cost of eligible activities and are not
intended to fully fund all Project expenditure.
6
2.6 Costs Not Eligible for Support
The following activities/costs will not be funded for Projects:
•
Any activities, equipment or supplies that are already being supported through other sources
(including support from the Australian Government).
Any cost incurred prior to the signing of a Funding Agreement with the Australian Government.
Indirect costs of research, including:
•
•
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
−
institutional overheads and administrative charges;
membership of professional organisations and groups;
non-Project-related staff training and development costs;
communications costs;
costs that duplicate the in-kind support from the Applicant Organisation or other participants in
the Project;
costs associated with the preparation of financial and audit statements;
staff recruitment and relocation costs;
Australian researchers’ domestic travel and living allowance within Australia;
Australian researchers’ living expenses within India (these costs will be met by the
Government of India);
debt financing;
capital expenditure for the purchase of assets such as office furniture and equipment, motor
vehicles, computers, printers or photocopiers and the construction, renovation or extension of
facilities such as buildings and laboratories;
costs associated with market research for products or research carried out by surveys to
assess the size of the market and the price of a particular service or product;
costs associated with marketing Projects, i.e. activities aimed at creating demand for goods
and services of consumers, businesses and government;
costs such as rental, renovations and utilities;
salaries for non-Australian personnel, including consultants;
fees for international students, or the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and
Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) liabilities for students;
insurance costs (the recipient must effect and maintain adequate insurance or similar
coverage for any liability arising as a result of its participation in AISRF funded activities); and
subscription costs for access by Australian personnel to major international research facilities.
This list is not exhaustive. Other costs may be ineligible where the Department assesses they do not
directly support the achievement of the planned outcomes for the research activities or they are
contrary to the objectives of the AISRF. The recipient must ensure it has adequate funds to meet the
costs of any ineligible expenditure associated with the research activities.
2.7 Cash and In-Kind Support from Other Sources
Australian contributions to the Project may be in cash and/or in-kind. The contributions may be from
the Applicant Organisation, other Australian sources (for example, collaborative partners in the
Project) or industry contributions. Salaries for Project Managers may be included as an in-kind
contribution.
In-kind contributions must be specific to the Project and not part of a broader contribution to the
Applicant Organisation. Letters of support should provide specific details of in-kind contributions.
There is no requirement for applicants to demonstrate that the Australian contribution (cash and/or inkind) to the Project matches or is more than the funding sought from the Australian Government.
However, the Australian partners’ level of commitment to the Project may be taken into account
during the assessment process.
7
2.8 Dates of Funding Rounds
Each round of Projects will be held as agreed by the Department, DST and DBT. The opening and
closing dates of the funding round will be advertised on the Department’s website at
www.science.gov.au/aisrf and are subject to change. Applications for AISRF funding will not be
accepted outside the call for a funding round.
2.9 Application process
All applications must be submitted to the Department in accordance with these Guidelines, the
Application Instructions, and any other information provided by the Department. Applicants should be
aware that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code Act
1995 (Cth). The Indian partner must submit an application to DST or DBT in accordance with the
guidelines issued by those departments. Applications may include other international partners.
2.10 Other Funding Sources
Applicants must confirm that they do not receive any other funding for the activities proposed to be
undertaken in the application.
It is not permissible to duplicate support available from other sources, including other Australian
Government funding mechanisms, with Project grants. Where applicants already receive Australian
Government funding for their core activities, they will only be eligible if they can demonstrate that the
activity for which funding is sought is additional to their core activities.
2.11 Assessment Criteria
Providing the eligibility criteria have been met, applications will be assessed against the following
criteria, all of which must be addressed in the application:
A. The scientific merit of the proposed research, including the potential of the anticipated outcomes
to advance the knowledge base of the discipline, and its likely scientific impact.
B. The ability of the Project to maximise the application and commercialisation of research outcomes
and contribute to economic growth and diversity (including gender) in India and Australia.
C. Support for the Project from participating Australian and Indian organisations and the capacity of
the partners to manage it and deliver the activities.
D. The contribution of the Project to building enduring Australia-India collaboration in a priority area.
Australian applications will be assessed by the Department in accordance with these assessment
criteria and its processes. Guidance on detailed requirements for addressing the assessment
criteria is provided in the Application Instructions.
Indian applications will be assessed by DST and DBT in accordance with their assessment criteria
and processes.
Funding will be aimed at Projects that can demonstrate a clear path to end use.
8
2.12 Intellectual Property Rights
Applicants must provide details of their plans with respect to intellectual property (IP) in the
application. This includes both the use of IP in the Project and the proposed ownership of rights to IP
generated by the Project. Where IP is likely to be generated by the Project, successful applicants will
be required to conclude protocols or contracts with their Indian and any other collaborating partners
on the management of IP. These agreements should be in accordance with laws and regulations
prevailing in Australia and India and provide for:
•
•
•
•
adequate and effective protection and equitable distribution of any benefits from IP rights created
in or resulting directly from cooperative activities (foreground IP rights);
ownership of foreground IP rights to be allocated on the basis of respective contribution and
equitable interests;
terms and conditions for the commercialisation and other forms of dissemination of the
foreground IP rights; and
adequate and effective protection of IP rights provided by the organisations, enterprises and
institutions prior to or in the course of such cooperative activities, for example, the licensing or
utilisation of such IP rights on equitable terms (background IP rights).
2.13 Eligibility Checks and Assessment of Applications
All Australian applications received by the Department by the advertised closing date will be checked
to confirm the eligibility criteria have been met, including that a corresponding Indian application has
been submitted to DST or DBT.
Eligible Australian applications will undergo a competitive selection process. Applications will be peer
reviewed against the assessment criteria by an independent Australian advisory panel appointed by
the Department. Panel members will be required to adhere to the requirements of the Department’s
AISRF Advisory Panel – Roles and Responsibilities document, which defines and details processes
for the identification, disclosure and management of conflicts of interest. Any conflicts of interest will
be managed by a departmental probity officer in accordance with departmental policy.
Should an applicant identify a potential conflict of interest (e.g. they become aware that a panel
member is a current or former supervisor, colleague or collaborator, or a relative, friend or personal
acquaintance), they should notify the Department via email at aisrf@science.gov.au as soon as they
become aware of such a situation. A potential conflict of interest will not adversely affect the
application; however, the Department will seek to ensure it is assessed independently by other
members of the panel in order to avoid any potential probity concerns.
Indian applications will be reviewed in accordance with the relevant assessment processes of DST
and DBT.
Typically, Projects will be jointly funded by the Australian and Indian Governments. However the
provision of unilateral funding by either the Australian or Indian Government under the AISRF may be
considered in very rare circumstances, subject to availability of funds and agreement by both
governments.
Drawing on recommendations through the respective processes, the Australian and Indian
governments, represented by the respective officials with responsibility for administering the
Programme, will decide on the Projects to be supported under the round. Their decision will be final.
The contact officer listed in each application will be notified by email of the outcome of the
assessment process and the list of successful applicants will be published on the Department’s
website.
9
2.14 Successful Grant Applicants – Funding Agreement
The Department will contact all successful Australian applicants advising them of the level of funding
the Australian Government will offer to support the proposed activities. To accept this offer, successful
Applicant Organisations will be required to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth.
The Funding Agreement is the contract between the Department and the successful Applicant
Organisation (‘the Recipient’). The Funding Agreement outlines the responsibilities and obligations of
all parties and includes the terms and conditions relating to Project activities funded using the grant.
The Project plan and budget submitted in the application will form the basis of the Funding
Agreement, which will also include schedules that set out the details of payments, performance
indicators, reporting requirements and other terms and conditions associated with the funding.
Successful applicants will have 30 business days from the date of notification and provision to sign
the Funding Agreement and return it to the Department. Should an Applicant Organisation be unable
to sign the Funding Agreement within that period, the offer of funding may be withdrawn.
Successful applicants should note they must not start work on the Project until the Funding
Agreement is in place.
The Department has no obligation to provide successful applicants with any funding until the Funding
Agreement has been signed by both parties and will bear no responsibility for costs incurred by the
applicant prior to the Funding Agreement being executed.
The Recipient is responsible for ensuring that it has entered into any necessary agreements with its
partners about the operation of the Project.
2.15 Reporting
The Funding Agreement stipulates reporting obligations and relevant due dates. Reports must be
submitted using the templates provided at www.science.gov.au/aisrf. If the Recipient is unable to
submit a report by the due date specified in the Funding Agreement, they must notify the Department
prior to the due date. This notification must include the reason for the delay, which will be considered
by the Commonwealth and may result in action being taken in accordance with the Funding
Agreement.
2.16 Payments
The Funding Agreement will outline the schedule of payments and reporting requirements.
The Department reserves the right to reduce, recall or terminate funding where an expenditure report
or audit report demonstrates that funds have not been used in accordance with the Funding
Agreement and these Guidelines.
2.17 Changes in circumstances
The Recipient must notify the Department immediately upon becoming aware of any circumstances
that are likely to adversely affect the Recipient’s ability to comply with the terms of the Funding
Agreement.
The Department, at its sole discretion, will determine whether the changed circumstances and
proposed changes require a formal written variation to the Funding Agreement. Variations in
retrospect will not be considered.
10
3
TARGETED WORKSHOPS
3.1 Overview
The Department will fund a small number of Targeted Workshops in specified fields of science and
technology to strengthen cooperative research links between Australia and India in areas of mutual
interest.
Targeted Workshops support the objectives of the AISRF by:
•
•
•
•
bringing together leading researchers from Australia and India to focus on key issues of mutual
interest or contemporary challenges in both countries;
creating, promoting and strengthening relationships between Australian and Indian researchers
and research institutions;
promoting scientific and technological cooperation between Australia and India; and
identifying further areas and projects of cooperation with significant potential for mutually
beneficial outcomes.
The scope, timing and location of Targeted Workshops, as well as the nature, level and duration of
funding to be granted, is subject to agreement between the Department, DST and DBT.
11
4
EARLY AND MID-CAREER RESEARCHER FELLOWSHIPS
4.1 Overview
Financial support from the Department is available for high-performing Australian Early and MidCareer Researchers to travel to India and work with leading researchers at major Indian science and
technology organisations to facilitate future long-term science, technology and innovation
collaboration between Australia and India.
Fellowships support the objectives of the AISRF by:
•
•
•
•
developing researchers’ expertise in international collaboration and fostering long-term
relationships between Australian and Indian researchers;
increasing Australian researchers’ understanding of India’s culture, particularly the science and
research practices and systems;
developing the researchers’ leadership skills as future ‘science ambassadors’ for Australia; and
providing a catalyst for future Australia-India research collaboration.
4.2 Support available
Up to $55,000 in funding over 12 months will be available for return economy airfares from Australia
to India, visa application fees and travel insurance, accommodation, meals and incidentals, and
domestic travel within India.
Early and Mid-Career Researchers must:
•
•
•
•
•
be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident;
meet the definition of an Early to Mid-Career Researcher (refer Glossary);
have shown the potential to become a leader in the research community (demonstrated
outstanding skills and potential for senior positions in science and technology);
not have previously received funding for an AISRF Fellowship; and
not have consolidated links with India or have studied or worked in India for longer than a total of
3 months.
Funding will be awarded to Early and Mid-Career Researchers who can demonstrate:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Their experience and an exemplary track record;
The quality of their past and current research projects;
The potential of their research projects to involve collaboration with India and to result in ongoing
collaborative relationships;
Their potential to become a leader in the research community;
The added value (to the discipline, institution, company and wider society) from the cooperation;
4.3 Reporting
Early and Mid-Career Researchers supported through this component of the AISRF will be required to
report on their experiences as specified.
4.4 Further information
Further information on the support available for Early and Mid-Career Researcher fellowships will be
made available on the Department’s website: www.science.gov.au/aisrf.
12
5
FUND ADMINISTRATION
All proposed activities to be undertaken by applicants funded through any component of the AISRF
must comply with all Commonwealth and State laws, codes and regulations relevant to the conduct of
science and research and associated activities.
5.1 Evaluation of the Fund
Individuals and organisations receiving support under the AISRF are required to participate in an
evaluation of the AISRF if requested to do so by the Department. This evaluation will seek to identify
the degree to which the AISRF is meeting its objectives.
The evaluation of the Programme will be guided by the Department of Finance expenditure review
principles.
5.2 Unsuccessful Applicants
Limited written feedback on individual applications may be provided to unsuccessful applicants. No
further correspondence will be entered into.
5.3 Questions, Feedback, Complaints and Privacy
Feedback on the AISRF is welcome and can be submitted by email to aisrf@science.gov.au.
If you have a question or complaint concerning the AISRF, assessment and/or decision, please
contact the AISRF team in the first instance via the email address above, or call the information line
on (02) 6102 9079 (9.00am–5.00pm AEST/AEDT, Monday–Friday).
If you are not satisfied with the response or handling of your complaint, you can contact:
General Manager
Science Policy Branch
Department of Industry and Science
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
E-mail: aisrf@science.gov.au
You may lodge a complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. There is no fee for making a
complaint and the Ombudsman will conduct an independent investigation of your concerns. You
should note that the Ombudsman usually prefers that you first work through relevant internal
processes before lodging a complaint.
The Ombudsman has offices in all States and Territories. You can contact the Ombudsman by
telephone on 1300 362 072 or in writing to the relevant contact address specified on the
Ombudsman’s website at www.ombudsman.gov.au.
Complaints about alleged breaches of privacy should be referred to the Department’s Privacy Contact
Officer at privacy@industry.gov.au.
Privacy complaints also can be made directly to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
(OAIC). Further information on making a privacy complaint to the OAIC is available at
http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint. However, the OAIC prefers that the
Department be given an opportunity to deal with the complaint in the first instance.
13
5.4 Freedom of Information (FOI)
All documents created or held by the Department with regard to the AISRF are subject to the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). Unless a document is exempt, it will be made available to
the general public if requested under the FOI Act.
All FOI requests are to be referred to the FOI Coordinator in the Department (foi@industry.gov.au).
Decisions regarding requests for access will be made by an authorised officer in accordance with the
requirements of the FOI Act.
5.5 How we will use and disclose the information you give us
Unless the information you give us is:
•
•
Personal Information as defined below; or
Confidential Information as defined below;
the Department may disclose the information you give us to any person for any purpose, including but
not limited to the purposes set out below.
Disclosure of information for certain purposes
Without limitation, the Department may publish the following information for each successful
application on the Department’s website at www.science.gov.au/aisrf, or in media releases issued by
the Government, to announce the outcomes of each round of funding:
•
•
•
•
the Project title of successful applications;
the names of the Australian and Indian partner organisations;
a Project summary; and
the amount of Australian Government funding awarded.
Additionally, the online application form offers applicants an opportunity to provide consent to release
information to a third party, specifically the Australian Trade Commission, known as Austrade.
Austrade has close links with companies in Australia, India and in other countries and may be able to
identify and support further opportunities. If you elect to provide this consent, the Department may
share basic details of your application with Austrade (i.e. the Australian Project Manager’s name and
contact details, names of participating organisations, Project title, summary and priority area). The
provision of this consent is entirely voluntary and will not affect your application in any way.
What is Personal Information?
The Department is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) outlined in Schedule 1 of the
Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The APPs regulate how the Department may collect, use, disclose and store
Personal Information.
‘Personal Information’ under the Privacy Act 1988 means information or an opinion (whether true or
false) about a natural person who is reasonably identifiable.
How will we use your Personal Information?
Except where authorised or required by law, Personal Information obtained by the Department will
only be disclosed to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Commonwealth employees and contractors;
the Minister and Ministerial office;
DST or DBT; and
Expert panel members (and any external assessors) appointed to assess the applications;
for the purposes of:
administering the Programme and any related purposes, including Programme and policy
evaluation and development; and
departmental research, analysis, and evaluation.
14
If you include an individual’s Personal Information in an application, you must obtain consent from the
individual before providing their Personal Information to the Department.
For further information as to how the Department handles personal information, please refer to the
Department’s Privacy Policy.
When will we treat the information you give us as Confidential Information?
We will treat your information as Confidential Information if:
•
•
you clearly identify the information as confidential; and
the information has the necessary quality of confidence (that is, it must be significant information
which is private and not already be in the public domain).
How will we use and disclose your Confidential Information?
Unless we obtain your consent, we will not disclose your Confidential Information other than to
Commonwealth employees and contractors, the responsible Commonwealth Minister, DST, DBT, any
members appointed to assess the applications, and any external assessors, for the purposes of:
•
•
administering the Programme and any related purposes, including Programme and policy
evaluation and development; and
Departmental research, analysis, and evaluation.
In addition, from time to time the Department may be authorised or required by law to disclose
information to other persons, including but not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
a Commonwealth Minister or Ministerial office;
a House or a Committee of the Parliament of Australia;
the Auditor-General under the Auditor-General Act 1997;
the Commonwealth Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976; and/or
the Privacy Commissioner under the Privacy Act 1988.
5.6 Ethics and Research Practices
The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) website (www.nhmrc.gov.au)
provides a series of publications which outline the principles of ethical conduct in research. All
proposals and Projects must conform to the principles and requirements of these publications (and
their successor documents), including but not limited to:
•
•
•
the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
as applicable, the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human
Research (2007, updated May 2015); and
as applicable, the NHMRC/ARC/UA/CSIRO Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for
Scientific Purposes (2013).
If there is any conflict or inconsistency between a successor document and its predecessor, then the
successor document prevails.
15
6
GLOSSARY
AISRF
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund
Applicant
Organisation
An ERO that submits an application for funding under the AISRF
Application
Instructions
The accompanying instructions that detail requirements on how to complete
an application for funding
Australian Personnel
Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents
DBT
The Department of Biotechnology in India
Department (‘the
Department’)
The Department of Industry and Science in Australia
DFAT
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia
DST
The Department of Science and Technology in India
Early to Mid-Career
Researcher
A researcher who has had between 3 and 10 years of research experience
since the award of his/her PhD, with the PhD having been awarded between
3 and 15 years prior to the closing date for submission of applications
Eligible Research
Organisation (ERO)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
An ERO must be one of the following:
Australian tertiary education institution (as per the Higher Education
Support Act 2003)
Australian Cooperative Research Centre
Publicly Funded Research Agency (PFRA)
Australian State/Territory-funded research organisation
Australian public research company
Australian private research company
Australian not-for-profit research organisation
Other Australian incorporated entity
In addition, an ERO must be an organisation that is registered for GST, and,
if a university, is registered as exempt from income tax. An ERO must not be
a non-corporate Commonwealth entity (as defined under the Public
Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013);
Funding Agreement
The agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and a Recipient
(ERO)
GST
Goods and Services Tax
Guidelines
Programme guidelines of the AISRF issued by the Department of Industry
and Science in Australia
IP
Intellectual Property
Programme
The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF)
Project
A Collaborative Research Project funded by the AISRF
Project Manager
The person leading the Project on behalf of the ERO
Recipient
An ERO which has submitted an application that has been approved for
funding and has entered into a Funding Agreement with the Department
Targeted Workshop
A workshop to strengthen cooperative research links between Australia and
India in areas of mutual interest
16